What Mormons Really Believe ...

!Hola amados míos¡

June 8, 2015

How is every thing? This past week was pretty slow, but the weekend was CRAZY !!! 

Friday we went to a wedding, Saturday we had a baptism of a little 8 year old girl. We helped decorate and did the programs. The decorations were very pretty,  it was like a wedding in many ways. A bunch of Return Missionaries stayed at the Moms house. We went over there 3 days in a row and helped her cook for everyone. 
Btw I am getting good at cooking Mexican food. Speaking of food I ate cow tongue. It tasted awesome. It was in tacos and she had this really good green tomato salsa. It was amazing. I could eat it everyday. Although it looked a little weird when she went to go cut it up. And amazingly enough it wasn't even a weird texture. Yeah it was good. Oh but the sad part was I had an allergic reaction to something so we had to spend the rest of the night at home. Which was sad but I got these cool outlines done for some lessons and then we caught 5 more fireflies. They are named Doug, Dave, Danny, Steve and Louis. Three of them are good little fireflies, the other two are escape artists...... But seriously Dave is on our wall right now. 

Today we had a house inspection. We went through our house and got rid of everything from Missionaries that have gone home. We shampooed our carpets and scrubbed the fridge. That took all of our Wednesday.  

On Monday, after I sent this email, we went to a recent converts house. I really thought she didn't like us. We were slightly nervous, but felt inspired to share a book with them. The girl started crying and she said it was exactly what she needed. It was a very spiritual moment. On Sunday she came and sat next to me and just started talking to me and all that. It was awesome.

We went to McDonalds to eat one day. A guy walked past us, bought his food and sat down at a table across from us. Not that strange, I mean we were in McDonalds. We finished eating and got up to throw our trash away. He looked at us, said "Oh, you guys must have a fun job". I started to explain that we are Missionaries. He said that he would love to listen to what we had to say. In my head I had a feeling that we should leave. But the other part of me knew that I am struggling talking to people, we decided to talk to him. We started off with
the normal get to know you questions. Then asked if we could share a video. Well ... all of a sudden he starts to argue doctrine with us. I finally told him to let me talk, we showed him the, "Because He Lives" video. He told us that is not what Mormons believe. Really!!!!! you are going to tell me what I believe????  But amazingly enough Hermana Evans and I kept in our tempers. We didn't argue and had a civilized conversation where we told him what we believed. He said that was great, but my Jesus was the wrong Jesus. He proceeded to tell us that we were going to Hell. So there you have it folks....... No just kidding.

 I know without a doubt in my mind that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church on the earth today. I will die before I ever deny that. I am not out here on my mission to put others down or condemn other people. I am sorry if I have ever made anyone else feel that way. If there is one thing I have learned on my mission it is that everyone is different there are a lot of different cultures, but not one is better then the other. Bolivia, Peru and El Salvador are all different. But the people are so similiar, they are kind. They are all looking for happiness, even though they come from different walks of life. They get along and find something they have in common. 

Before my mission I was quick to judge, I would judge a lot of people at first sight. I now realize that God loves us all. He loves me enough to answer my silly prayers, that are please just let me have a letter today or let there be fireflies out tonight. He loves me enough to answer those silly little things and also the big things like forgiveness. In 3 Nephi 14:9-11 it says" or what man is there among you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" He loves all of us enough.

Other then that today is my 8 month mark..... 10 more to go!
Well love you all and hope your week is amazing!

Hermana Atkinson

Pet Fireflies

June 1, 2015

Hello Beautiful Family and Friends. 

How is everything going with you all today and this past week?  It hasn't been very long since my last email, so not a lot of things have happened. 

Thursday our car had a recall. We took the car to the dealership, our Zone Leaders picked us up. There were able to help us get our Area Book online. We were also able to work on some other stuff. Our car was actually done early :)  They took us back to our car, we went home and tried to get some weekly planning done. We did not accomplish as much as we had hoped. We had to be on our way and help Hermana Rodriguez clean her house. The Elder's are coming to paint her house on Saturday. Cleaning actually took forever, but we had lots of fun. 

On Friday we went to our TIWI meeting in Centreville and we got the TIWI installed in our car. It yells at you if you drive to fast, stop to fast, start too fast, etc.  So if you are a bad driver, it rats you out and reports you to Salt Lake. If you get too many reports, they tell your Mission President that your license should be taken away. Yep that's fun. It has only gotten mad at me once but luckily it gives you warnings when you start to speed. Everyone in my district has a competition to see who lasts the longest without getting their license pulled. All of us think Elder Mortimer will lose it first... Any way after that we went to go eat dinner with Hermana Salinas. she is from Peru and she made baby chicken.... mmmm yummy. Not really, it is actually really gross and kinda sad. She claimed they were the biggest babies she could find. After eating, we went to correlation with Hermana Gonzalas. Between the TIWI and correlation meeting. I was tired of meetings and tired of sitting.

Saturday we went to the Temple Visitor Center with Hermana Bozo and Her husband Fernando. It was awesome. we went through and watched like 10 videos. Their favorite video was about Return Missionaries and it was in English...They are weird.... hahahaha. After, They took us to eat salteñas, which is just about the yummiest food ever. It is a dish from Bolivia and I love it. I cant really describe it, it reminds me of a calzone,but it isn't a pizza. It  has juice, chicken, eggs, potatoes and some yummy seasonings. The best part of the day ... They both loved the Temple and made an appointment to go and watch more videos.

Sunday ... Of course we went to church. Sister Rodriguez came and told us that the Elder's did not finish painting her house. She needed help finishing up. The baptism was going to be on Tuesday, she had people staying at her house and really needed it done. It was Sunday, but we felt that helping this Sister was the right thing to do. We ended up painting her whole kitchen including the cutting. Mom and Terry, you would have been so proud of me. Terry, you would have laughed when you saw my face after she told me I also needed to paint the ceiling. Yep,  3 maybe 4 hours later we finished. We were completely exhausted but it was still only like 7. We decided to go and see a less active member. While talking to her, a firefly came out. Hermana Evans stopped talking, and went to catch it. Within minutes all three of us were out catching Fireflies.  It was lots of fun, it also gave us a chance to calm down and relax. 

We now 5 Fireflies living with us and they all have names. Ray, Fred, Biggie, Smalls and Jorge (he

is a Spanish Firefly) hahaha.

Till Next Week ... 

Love,

Hermana Atkinson

Hola A Todos ...

I had a Message Yesterday from A Family member, asking if they had been taken off Karlie's E-Mail list. Well ... it dawned on me that Since my Grandmother's Funeral, I had not updated her Blog. This Letter is from May 27, 2015. I am hoping to be caught up with her letters be tomorrow ...

D'Anne

Hola a todos!

Voy a escribir en español porque necesito practicarlo. Entonces esta semana tuve muchas experiencias buenas. Voy a empezar con el martes pasado fuimos a visitar hermana Rodríguez y ella nos dio comida. Ella es de México y puede cocinar tostadas perfectas. Pero fuimos a la casa de ella porque su niña Annel va a bautizarse en el 6 de junio y por eso enseñamos a ella las doctrinas. Después de este fuimos a visitar a Eduardo y su familia. Los padres de Eddy están divorciados. Es una situación muy delicada. Pero en miércoles tuvimos intercambios y yo fui a old tiene por un día y tenía la oportunidad a visitar a jazmín y la familia Castañeda. Los extraño mucho! Padilla me dio una carta Y visitamos con ellos por la noche y jueves fuimos a reston porque mi líder de las hermanas iba a ir al templo. Y después vine a mi apartamento y visitemos a tara. Y viernes tuve una entrevista con presidente  Riggs y después una con las líderes de zona. Ellos están bien incómodos porque son elderes. Y sábado fuimos a tener una lección con Eddy y su madre y padrastro. Y yo hable con su mama sobre el bautismo de Eddy y ella me dijo que esta bien y Eddy pueda ser bautizado. Estoy bien animada por eso. Y domingo fuimos a la iglesia y

después íbamos por commerce y yo vence mi pena. Hable con 5 personas... 5 tengo pena a hablar a las personas especialmente los hombres. Pero lo  vence. Y lunes hable con 2 mas personas.

Ok, so I just said that I need to practice my Spanish, that's why I sent this email like this. This week was cool. ...

To start lets go to last Tuesday. We went to go visit Hermana Rodriguez, she always gives us food. She is from Mexico,so it's always really good food. She also taught us how to make these good tostadas, they had beans, chicken, special sauce crema (which is like sour cream but a little different) and queso. Which contrary to popular belief is different then cheese.... Well it is cheese but it is a certain kinda of cheese. But any way her daughter Annel is getting baptized on June 6, we are teaching her even though she is 7. Then we went to Eddys house and talked with his family, it is a little complicated because his parents are divorced. His dad is a member, but we were with his mom and stepdad, we always have great lessons with them. 

Then Wednesday we had exchanges ... so I went to go with a different Hermana and I went back to old town! Seriously I love that place! I got to see Jazmins and the Castanedas and then Padilla gave me a card because we have permission to write each other and he was in shock ... kinda like a little kid.... Oh and I heard about a wedding that's happening on the 5th ... which I got permission to go to. My old investigators are getting married! 

Then Thursday we drove up to Reston, so another Hermana could go to the temple. Then we came home and studied and visited Tara who is a recent convert. 

Friday was planning ... and Interviews with president Riggs. When I went in with President Riggs, my companion met with our zone leaders. Then we switch. I always find thid kind of  awkward..... Being in a room with 2 elders. We talked about pranks, I told them if they pranked me I would get them back. So.....feel free to send me some prank ideas... 

Saturday we went to eat breakfast with Eddy and his Mom. Both Eddy an Eddy's Dad would like him to be baptized. After Breakfast, Eddy went outside to play. We were able to talk to his Mom, and she said YES !!! Eddy is going to be baptized and I am so excited...... We are going to the visitors center with them Next Saturday. Literally beyond excited. 

Sunday, after Church, we went to these sketchy apartments with a member named Michael. I had a goal to talk to 

everyone. This was hard for me, because a lot of these people scare me. I did talk to one guy. Then I had the courage to talk to a group of about 4 guys talking. At first I wasn't  going to, because I was scared. I finally bucked up the courage and went to talk to them. They were super nice.

So, as you can tell, the English version has a lot more info because it isn't an exact translation. What I am going to talk about next is not because I want sympathy, because honestly I am fine, but on Monday I got a call from home. As a missionary this rarely means anything good has happened. As was the case my Great Grandma Glenna passed away. I am not saying that it isn't hard, because it is and I will be honest I cried. And I am sad but that's not the reason I am talking about it. It is because I called my Mission President to give me a blessing. 

Let me explain what this means. When I want the help of my Heavenly Father or God I pray. Which is powerful and truly works. But when I come across something that seems incomprehensible and unbearable I can ask someone who holds the Priesthood, or the power to act in God's name, to act with his Priesthood and help me overcome any trial. This is the same thing that Jesus did. And though it seems crazy and doesn't seem logical, I want each of you to remember that your emotions are not controlled by logic and neither is your soul. So President Riggs came to my apartment and we talked for a little bit and we read a scripture it is in the Book of Mormon in the Book of Alma, Chapter 40, Verses 11 and 12 which say :

"11. Now concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection - Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life."

So just a little insert to clarify and explain when it says the God who gave them life it is referring to Jesus Christ. and So to me this is saying that My Grandma has seen Jesus Christ. 

Now lets look at verse 12 " And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from their troubles and from all care and sorrow."

Honestly what more can be said ...

I love you all and as I said before I didn't write this for sympathy...

I wrote it because what I learned is a testimony builder for me. I

love you all and I will talk to you on Monday.

Hermana Atkinson

Staying Put ...

Hello all!!!!

 This has been a pretty good week. Like always, I have bad days and good days, but all in all it was
pretty good. My Biggest accomplishment this week ... I wrote 2 or more pages in my journal everyday. I also wrote in my gratitude journal everyday. If your'e wondering, a gratitude journal is where I write down things I am grateful for every day. It has helped me become more positive. I'm sure most of you know I can be really negative and grumpy. My goal is to write 5 things that I am grateful for everyday. Plus, I get a bonus out of it, next thanksgiving I won't struggle to come with anything around the dinner table. I will have a huge list of things. This has been a huge accomplishment for me, I have always struggled writing in a journal.
Last Week was transfer week. We received the best news, Hermana Evans and I are staying together this transfer. How nice is that! We heard the wonderful news on Tuesday. When our district leader texted us,  Hermana Evans tackled me. 
Before that happened we had the most amazing Lesson with this one less active/ investigating
family. The mom has really opened up with us. She has been thinking about the changes she wants to see in her life and her families life.  I just love her. 
Wednesday we had zone training which is always fun. We broke off into groups and I was put into a
group with only elders. It was a awkward but fine. You guys will never believe this, but elders still act like teenage
boys. Except now they think all girls have cooties. After training we went to Michael's house to teach his friend a lesson (He is the one in the picture). HIs friend never showed up. Michael did agree to tract with us Saturday. It was so nice, he decided to come out on Friday and Saturday.
Other then that I can't really think of anything else to say. Oh well, maybe a couple more things... Friday we had a meeting, After the meeting a set of Elders, that live in our apartment complex, decided to race us home. They won, but they also totally cheated. They slowed down at a green light and waited until it turned turned yellow. We got stuck at the red light.... I was soooo mad.  Not really, because it was all for fun. For anyone who is
thinking of doing this please note that most missions are receiving a nifty little device called a teewee. This device records your speed, how fast you brake, take turns and accelerate. It pretty much does everything. It records what time you get home and where your car is at all times during the day. All this gets reported to the Mission President. If you brake to many of these violations, your driving privileges are revoked.
As of yet we have not received this, but we are at the end of May. I would advise everyone to not race the elders. 
I really can't think of anything else.
Have a Great Week!
Love, 
Hermana Atkinson

Spiritual thought. Be Still by Hilary Weeks It's a great song, I hope you take the time to listen to it.
Be Still by Hillary Weeks

Another Week

Ok, so let's start with last Monday. I went fishing and didn't catch a thing! But I did manage to lose a 10 dollar lure...... Yep I feel dumb. It was still a fun day.

Then on Tuesday we went to district meeting, then to a 1/2 mission conference. We talked about being bold. Which I absolutely loved. Then Tuesday night we went and taught eddy. It was so cute they made all these plans for Saturday, which fell through, but it was still nice.

Then on Wednesday we went and cleaned a house for service. I love the lady we went to help, but I hate teenage boys bedrooms. There was mold and lollipops on the ground. She asked me to get under a bed to clean it out and there was a used Q-tip...... I thought I was gonna throw up. But on the bright side I got some yummy tacos after I washed my hands....  And then I spent a lot of time this week at Tara and Jocelyn's  house. 

On Sunday I got to skype my family which is probably why I can't really think of anything to say. I got my nails done today. 

Food this week ...  Tacitus and tacos and causarellena which is like mashed potatoes with tuna. 

I finished a journal. Every page..... I was so proud and I have used up 2 pens. Life's small accomplishments.

Life is pretty much the same here in Springfield. There is traffic and busses are terrible. But I love it.

This coming up week is transfers week and I am  hopeful that my companion and I are staying together. Ok this is really the end of the the letter love you all.  

Love Hermana Atkinson Sent from my iPad

Spiritual thought for the week.

Yep, Life is Going Great !!!

I am way behind on getting Karlie's blogs out ... This is her blog from May 4, 2015

This week was good. It was long but good.  On Tuesday  we had a sisters conference, we spent the afternoon being trained. So that was fun. The lunch was amazing..... It was a spinach salad and it was quite amazing! Then on Wednesday we went on exchange, my sister training leaders are English speaking so I taught 5 lessons all by myself and translated what she wanted to say. It was sooooo hard.  I was sooooooooo happy to be back with Hermana Evans on Thursday. We spoke in Spanish the rest of the day. I love being in the Spanish program 

it is hard to learn a new language but I seriously love it.  I love that I can go up to someone and talk to them in their native tongue. They start to respect me more it is amazing. I love these people. With all of my heart. 

We went to a fireside for new and returning members and my recent converts Samantha and Vannessa bore their testimonies. It has been spiritually fulfilling to watch people over come their fears and really learn

more about this gospel. There are so many amazing things that happen as they start to change... 

We taught relief society and we gave everyone a Book of Mormon and told them they had to give it out..... Oh and we went knocking on doors, a 6 year old boy stole a sticker from us...... How rude right..... 

Yep that's about it for this week other then I found out that on Saturday I get to go to the temple with Vannessa and samantha. I am sooooooo exciting.

 love you all have a marvelous week! 

Oh I almost forgot I memorized the standard of truth this week it was pretty cool.

You guys should read it and memorize it because it is awesome.

“The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.” 

Cute el Salvadorian in Little Honduras

Yep great title isn't it..... 

This week has been fun. We started This past week with a family home evening about the divinity of women. It was an all girl's night. We had a less active member come and join us. She actually talked. I know it doesn't seem like much but it was exciting. To make things even more exciting, we had a tornado warning, we had to stay at this members house till 10. We played a lot of UNO. 
The less active girl asked us to come to her house. She wanted us to come over the next day, we went over and made her breakfast... it was AMAZING.
Then on Wednesday we were knocking doors in this apartment complex and everyone was from Honduras. We were doing the missionary thing (talking and knocking) and showing a cool video called He Lives. If you have a couple of minutes, it is a very inspiring film and only 2 minutes long.
He Lives
It was a GREAT day.
I was talking to this lady and she said that she was from el Salvador. She was going back to visit and will be back in a couple of weeks. I said that I loved el Salvadorian food, she offered to make me some when she comes back from el Salvador. I hope I am not transferred in 2 weeks because she comes back the day of transfers...so yeah I could use your prayers with that. Other then that the food has been ok... I am not a big fan of Peruvian rice but it isn't bad I just don't like cilantro. But I will survive.

*** I am going to start putting my favorites talks or Scriptures that I have read during the week. I was reading through this talk and just loved it. The talk is called None Were with Him, By Elder Holland. If you have time you should read through the whole talk.
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/none-were-with-him?lang=eng

"Thursday with its Paschal Lamb, atoning Friday with its cross, Resurrection Sunday with its empty tomb—may we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, not in word only and not only in the flush of comfortable times but in deed and in courage and in faith, including when the path is lonely and when our cross is difficult to bear. This Easter week and always, may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” ²¹ for surely that is how He stood by us when it was unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."  ------ Elder Holland

Love you all,
Hermana Atkinson

ext  monday